Thought maybe because of the interest we have shown in college basketball that the tournament deserved it's own thread.
MIZZOU got a 3 seed, having to go out to Boise, ID for their first games. KU got a 3 seed, having to go to Minneapolis. OU gets a 2 seed, getting to play in KC. OSU got a 9 seed, also getting to play in KC. Texas gets an 8 seed, playing in Greensboro, NC. Texas A&M gets a 10 seed, going to Minneapolis.
If Mizzou makes it to the sweet sixteen, they will likely face Memphis. A tough opponent. Good luck Missouri!
Here's the bracket:
MIDWEST REGIONAL
1 Louisville (28-5)
16 Alabama St./Morehead St. play-in
8 Ohio St. (22-10)
9 Siena (26-7)
5 Utah (24-9)
12 Arizona (19-13)
4 Wake Forest (24-6)
13 Cleveland St. (24-10)
6 West Virginia (23-11)
11 Dayton (26-7)
3 Kansas (25-7)
14 N. Dakota St. (26-6)
7 Boston Coll. (22-11)
10 Southern Cal. (21-12)
2 Michigan St. (26-6)
15 Robert Morris (24-10)
EAST REGIONAL
1 Pittsburgh (28-4)
16 E. Tenn. St. (21-10)
8 Oklahoma St. (22-11)
9 Tennessee (21-12)
5 Florida St. (25-9)
12 Wisconsin (19-12)
4 Xavier (25-7)
13 Portland St. (23-9)
6 UCLA (25-8)
11 Virginia Commonwealth U (24-9)
3 Villanova (26-7)
14 American (24-7)
7 Texas (22-11)
10Minnesota (22-10)
2 Duke (28-6)
15 Binghamton (23-8)
WEST REGIONAL
1 Connecticut (27-4)
16 Chattanooga (18-16)
8 BYU (25-7)
9 Texas A&M (23-9)
5 Purdue (25-9)
12 Northern Iowa (23-10)
4 Washington (25-8)
13 Mississippi St. (23-12)
6 Marquette (24-9)
11 Utah St. (30-4)
3 Missouri (28-6)
14 Cornell (21-9)
7 California (22-10)
10 Maryland (20-13)
2 Memphis (31-3)
15 CS Northridge (17-13)
SOUTH REGIONAL
1 North Carolina (28-4)
16 Radford (21-11)
8 LSU (26-7)
9 Butler (26-5)
5 Illinois (24-9)
12 Western Ky. (24-8)
4 Gonzaga (26-5)
13 Akron (23-12)
6 Arizona St. (24-9)
11 Temple (22-11)
3 Syracuse (26-9)
14 S. F. Austin (24-7)
7 Clemson (23-8)
10 Michigan (20-13)
2 Oklahoma (27-5)
15 Morgan St. (23-11)
(http://www.teamrankings.com/ncaa-tournament/2009-printable-march-madness-bracket-blank.jpg)
I watch the NCAA tournament mainly for the mid-majors; only four at-larges from mid-majors and the Big East gets 7 total bids. No Creighton or St. Mary's. But the likes of Arizona, BYU, Wisconsin, and Michigan got at-larges. 3 Big East schools get 1 seeds. Louisville and Pittsburgh I can understand, but...Connecticut?
I also don't understand how OU can get a 2 seed and play in KC while Mizzou gets a 3 seed and has to play in Boise. ??? OU definitely deserved a 3 seed. If anything, I'd argue KU deserving the 2 seed over OU; KU played a slightly tougher schedule and won the Big 12. Plus OU was 2-4 down the stretch.
Here are the top 8 teams with the highest RPIs left out of the tournament: San Diego St, Creighton, UAB, Illinois St, St. Mary's, Niagara, George Mason, and Tulsa. Hmmmm...none of those teams are BCS members...
Obviously the tournament is all about ratings and attendance (attendance=ticket sales=$$$), and attendance and ratings go down when small market teams (like George Mason) make deep runs in the tournament. I like watching the mid-majors play against the BCS schools, though. But the NCAA wants to keep CBS happy. Perhaps they should dispense with all pretense and let CBS pick all of the teams. ::)
Here's an interesting look at how far the top 4 seeds have to travel for their first round games.
MIDWEST BRACKET:
1- Louisville: 152 miles
2- Michigan State: 628 miles
3- Kansas: 480 miles
4- Wake Forest: 810 miles
WEST BRACKET:
1- UConn: 238 miles
2- Memphis: 522 miles
3- Missouri: 1,498 miles
4- Washington: 148 miles
EAST BRACKET:
1- Pitt: 256 miles
2- Duke: 53 miles
3- Villanova: 12 miles
4- Xavier: 1,946 miles
SOUTH BRACKET:
1- N. Carolina: 52 miles
2- Oklahoma: 362 miles
3- Syracuse: 1,417 miles
4- Gonzaga: 354 miles
Additionally, you have Ohio State, which is an 8 seed, going to Dayton, 71 miles away. How come we had to be one of the 3 teams out of the 16 to have to travel so far? Makes it hard on the fans to support their team!
Anyway, I'm done complaining. What a great season, and the 3 seed is fantastic compared to preseason expectations! If we can win our first two games and get past likely opponent Memphis in the Sweet Sixteen I think we have a real shot at the Final Four!!! ;D
^Yah, that sucks big time. There are a few of the lower seeded teams that have to travel clear across country. Seems like they could do a better job, but it's like this every year.
Thanks for the bracket, Swoosh. I couldn't figure out how to get a picture of it on here.
Mizzou has sold out its allotment of tickets for the Boise games.
That's terrific. We need a large contingent of fans out there supporting them.
Congrats to MIZZOU, and the rest of the Big 12. 6 - 0 through the first round. Marquette is up next for MU. They had a tough time against Utah St. but never take Marquette for granted.
GO MIZZOU!!!
After the 1st round--
(http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll238/Zephon907/SDC%20Stuff/2009-printable-march-madness-bracke.jpg)
Marquette has Dominic James back. That's going to make it a tougher game for Mizzou. I think this will be a hard fought, close game.
MIZZOU!!!
Whew, that was definitely a hard fought, close game! Onto Glendale, AZ, and a date with Mighty Memphis. My heart wants Mizzou to win against Memphis, but my rational and logical mind says Memphis will win. (My rational and logical mind also filled out my bracket and has Memphis over Mizzou). :-\ You don't make it to the Elite Eight in 2006 and 2007 and be NCAA Runner Up in 2008 without knowing a thing or two about playing your best in the biggest games. That kind of experience is crucial, and Mizzou doesn't have that experience. Also I think Memphis is more talented than Mizzou. Stranger things have happened though (and that's why you play the games), but I'm not getting hopeful expecting a Mizzou victory.
Ah, but Memphis never really played anyone last year until they played kU and we know what happened there. Mizzou has a very similar offense/defense and I think that the Memphis kitty kats are going to have fits with Mizzou most of the night. Also (to me) it does not look like Memphis is as deep as Mizzou. It's going to be a tough game for both teams.
That was a good game. So was Siena/Louisville. Most of the rest have been pretty one-sided.
My lands, today's game was a little too exciting. I think Mizzou matches up reasonably well with Memphis. Mizzou has more wins over top 50 RPI ranked teams than Memphis. MU lost to Xavier by 4, Memphis lost by 5. It should be a good game.
The Sweet Sixteen-
(http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll238/Zephon907/SDC%20Stuff/2009-printable-march-madness-bra-1.jpg)
Tonight's the night! I have hope!
GO MIZZOU!
Just about game time. GO MIZZOU!!!
Mizzou's up 19!!! Game over! Bring on UCONN Saturday! We're clicking on all cylinders. If we can play this crisp Saturday we're headed to the Final Four! I'm turning over to the Duke-Villanova game, which should be a closer game, like Pitt-Xavier.
I was wrong about Duke-Villanova. Villanova is routing Duke. Also I'm not surprised that Memphis came back to make it a game.
ELITE EIGHT!!! ELITE EIGHT!!! ;D ;D ;D
Wait a minute! Did Mizzou just hang 102 points on "the best defensive team in the nation" ???
HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
M - I -Z!!!
That was an awesome win for Missouri. All I can say is it's a good thing they built up that 24 point lead early in the 2nd, because Memphis just kept chipping away at it. But, for a team that was picked by the coaches to finish 7th in the Big 12, making it to the Elite Eight is a pretty nice thing.
CONFERENCE WHAT? ;)
and say goodbye to the Beakers as kansas exits stage left.
Rock CHOKE!
Only two Big 12 teams left now. Oklahoma looked real good tonight. Kansas couldn't hold on.
The Elite Eight
(http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll238/Zephon907/SDC%20Stuff/2009-printable-march-madness-bra-2.jpg)
I think No. 1 seeds Pittsburgh and North Carolina are vulnerable...I'm predicting Villinova and Oklahoma to advance to the Final Four. No. 1 seed Louisville should advance without much trouble in besting Michigan St.
The Mizzou-UConn game is harder to predict. I think Mizzou can take No. 1 UConn, but they'll have to have their best game of the tournament. Total focus throughout the game and find a way to close up that lane...Memphis got way too many easy buckets against them. They also have to limit Thabeet's ability to control the game, much like they did with Griffith in the OU game early in the month. I may be sentimental, but I'm gonna pick Mizzou to be able to do what it takes and come away with a win. Pittsburgh beat them twice, we ought to be able to do it once.
Well the game is under way and UConn has run out to a small lead. 26-22 right now. Hope Mizzou can come back.
Good game. 44-38 in UConn's favor at the half. Mizzou is within striking distance. They've been able to come out of the half all season long and make a run, so let's hope they do today. The thing is, CBS is running so many commercials that UConn is having plenty of time to rest. Every time there's any kind of a break in the action, here comes 2-3 minutes of commercials. What's up with that?
CALL THE D@#& WALK ALREADY!!! >:(
Wow, what a game!
Sorry to see Mizzou lose, but they sure played 'em. If they'd done better on either 3 pointers or offense rebounding, I believe this game would have gone the other way.
It's nice to see that old familiar "40 minutes of hell", aka "Hawgball". Makes me want to kick Frank Broyles' butt for letting Mike Anderson get away.
Well, it was a good run by our team. They played really tough. Had UConn worried there for a while. Congrats to Mizzou on a great season.
Mizzou played well but it wasn't enough. This is hard to admit, but it's obvious the better team won today. Being out-rebounded and not being able to make a good percentage of our free throws really did us in. Also props to UConn for being able to play our style of basketball and win. Now comes the big question: Will Coach Anderson stay or go?
The better team did not win today - the better team was given the gift of a victory by the refs. Hard to win a game when it is 8 on 5. Last time I checked, you have to dribble the ball when you are moving around the court with the ball -- not the case today. Could have sworn I was watching an NBA game as anytime UConn went to the lane they took at least 3-5 steps. PATHETIC.
Anderson is staying.
Gotta agree, Swoosh. Toward the end of the game, that one UConn guard slammed into Carroll while he was just standing there and instead of getting a charge called, which would have put us in the bonus, he gets called for traveling. The guy stopped, expecting a whistle, and took a step or two while holding the ball, and then the whistle came. And that's just typical of the calls that weren't made.
Oh well, I had really hoped we would win, had a real chance to. The Pitt/Villanova game was pretty good as well.
I disagree with you both and think UConn is better than Mizzou, but that's okay. :)
Man, that Villanova win over Pitt was exciting last night! Whew! ;D
Oklahoma is really struggling against North Carolina right now. I'm really hoping OU wins so the Big 12 is represented in the Final Four.
Man, I was really hoping for a Big 12 team to make the Final Four. Better luck next year!
On a side note, I did terrible with my Final Four picks. I had Memphis, Louisville, Pitt, and North Carolina. And I just found out that Obama had the same picks. He and I also have the same national champion pick (North Carolina). At least we're still alive in that respect.
How'd the rest of you do with your Final Four picks?
Well, it's a good thing I don't make picks for money, otherwise I'd be out a bunch. I thought it would be Louisville, Oklahoma, Villanova, and Mizzou making it to the Final Four. Mizzou was a sentimental pick, sure, but there you go. Only Villanova made it. But I'm very proud of Mizzou. Of the three Big 12 teams to make it to the Sixteen, they made the best showing by far. They really gave UConn a run for their money.
The Final Four
(http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll238/Zephon907/SDC%20Stuff/2009-printable-march-madness-bra-3.jpg)
I was rooting for Louisville today. Bummer. Glad NC won, though.
In the Mizzou/UConn game, I was glad the refs let them play. It was a physical game, but I hate it when they whistle every time somebody gets brushed against. Yeah, I noticed some traveling, and that's why I don't watch NBA.
Well I officially lost intrest in the NCAA tournament today.
No Boomer Sooner, No M-I-Z, and no Rock Choke.
I guess I can cheer for Michigan State. Sure as heck don't want UNC or UCon (yes with one "n") to win.
I wouldn't be surprised if it was UConn and North Carolina in the national championship game.
The old adage about refs screwing one team or another...probably unfair calls/non-calls, as there almost always are. I'm sure UConn fans probably thought they were getting screwed somehow...it's the nature of the beast when the game is that close.
Yes they (UConn) definitely got screwed by not having fouls called on them the second half and never allowing Mizzou to get into Bonus ::)
Quote from: Swoosh on March 30, 2009, 04:19:43 PM
Yes they (UConn) definitely got screwed by not having fouls called on them the second half and never allowing Mizzou to get into Bonus ::)
Yankees fans think ESPN is against them at times, while most the rest of baseball fans think they are homers for the team. There's always another side of the story.
Taking away any foul controversy, UConn just played slightly better overall. Mizzou played very good, and definitely could have won the game, but I think UConn was the better team that night. Perhaps not every night, but at least that one.
Even all things considered IDK if you can say one team played better than the other as both teams have two different philosophies on how to conduct themselves in a ballgame.
UConn is very old school set up the play
Mizzou is organized chaos
Can you really even compare the two? I mean each team was getting it done in their own way and honestly the refs took Mizzou out of the game. I can say that because the foul to team ratio was very one-sided. On any given play you can call at least 5 fouls. They are there if the ref chooses to call them -- and since only one ref was calling anything (the other two enjoyed nice courtside seats) there in point is still my beef.
Doesn't matter, Michigan State is going to beat them anyway.
I just hope the NCAA board doesn't come down too hard on UConn when they go through their investigation on "illegal stuff" here in the next few months -- would hate for that team to get a "black eye" out of it.
Very happy to see Anderson accept the 1.3 to 1.5 million extension for 7 years. Can't believe Georgia offered him 2.1 million a year without even interviewing him! :o
I'm not entirely sold on Calipari leaving the cozy domination of C-USA to coach at Kentucky. He was without scrutiny at Memphis; he'll be under a microscope at Kentucky. I hope he understands that they have no patience there as well; they only gave Gillespie two years. They're going to expect his success at Memphis to instantly translate to Kentucky. I believe they not only expect him to guide Kentucky to the NCAA tournament next year--I think they expect a tournament win or two as well. Anything less will be a disappoint.
Quote from: Swoosh on March 31, 2009, 02:43:45 PM
Even all things considered IDK if you can say one team played better than the other as both teams have two different philosophies on how to conduct themselves in a ballgame.
UConn is very old school set up the play
Mizzou is organized chaos
Can you really even compare the two?
IDK...it seemed to me that UConn was playing a bit of Mizzou's game, at least toward the end.
Quote from: Swoosh on March 31, 2009, 02:43:45 PMI mean each team was getting it done in their own way and honestly the refs took Mizzou out of the game. I can say that because the foul to team ratio was very one-sided. On any given play you can call at least 5 fouls. They are there if the ref chooses to call them -- and since only one ref was calling anything (the other two enjoyed nice courtside seats) there in point is still my beef.
So are you you saying that the refs were biased against Mizzou? You do mention that both teams have different philosophies. Could not that be a reason why there were a disproportionate amount of fouls? Having reffed games myself at the grade school/middle school level, even I know that you can only call what you see, and you sometimes only see certain types of fouls. You sometimes have to call the most egregious foul during a play if you even call any at all. This is obviously not the only game were one team had more fouls called against it than the other.
North Carolina and Michigan St. for the title. North Carolina looks real tough, with lots of weapons. If it gets real physical, MSU might have a chance.
(http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll238/Zephon907/SDC%20Stuff/2009-printable-march-madness-bra-4.jpg)
UNC blew Michigan State out of the water early by keeping a fast tempo; the deficit has been too large to overcome in the second half. No matter how wrong my bracket was at least I got the National Champion right! ;D
Yeah, North Carolina was pretty tough. An exciting tournament nonetheless.
Now...on to baseball!
GO CARDINALS!!!
Quote from: Zephon on April 07, 2009, 06:12:01 PM
Now...on to baseball!
GO CARDINALS!!!
Hooo-yah! We're even with the Cubs, 1-1 apiece. ;D
Quote from: KBCraig on April 08, 2009, 01:15:59 AM
Quote from: Zephon on April 07, 2009, 06:12:01 PM
Now...on to baseball!
GO CARDINALS!!!
Hooo-yah! We're even with the Cubs, 1-1 apiece. ;D
It's nice to see another team's bullpen melt down, isn't it? :)
Quote from: sdcforever on April 08, 2009, 11:15:44 AM
Quote from: KBCraig on April 08, 2009, 01:15:59 AM
Quote from: Zephon on April 07, 2009, 06:12:01 PM
Now...on to baseball!
GO CARDINALS!!!
Hooo-yah! We're even with the Cubs, 1-1 apiece. ;D
It's nice to see another team's bullpen melt down, isn't it? :)
Yah, but it's not nice to see our starting pitching go somewhere in a handbasket. 1-2 and against the Pirates no less. We're gonna have to get on a roll. We're better than this.
I am Glad The basketball games are over , Tyler's Dad's head is big enough already